Cantina Vignaioli 1997 Elvio Pertinace Barbaresco

Bought a case. First bottle was definitely corked and was immediately poured down the sink. Subsequent bottles have, so far, been without taint.

Dark orange/cherry-red color with orange-brown at the edges.

Smells of strawberry, cherry, wet autumn leaves, menthol

Cherry/berry flavors, no noticeable oak, pleasant-yet-difficult-to-characterize organics, good acid, fully-integrated soft tannins.

Excellent well-aged full-bodied bottle of red for $59.99, though I had my doubts after opening that first bottle.